July 17, 2007

The Cullens Residence

"Well I suppose I've always known my boy was…different." laughed Elizabeth, "My mother said it first; said he'd be special. I guess I shouldn't have taken it with a grain of salt then."

Elizabeth took another drag on her cigarette and smashed it out on the ash tray with a hint of aggressiveness, though the rest of her demeanor was cool and collected. Sirius saw right through that. He may have not been an accomplished occumulens like Severus or a psychologist like Remus, but he could tell that the whole "accepting mother/I always knew" routine was bullshit. He had seen it so many times when he went out as a Hogwarts ambassador to the new muggleborn first year's parents.

He never, however, expected to be doing this on behalf of his godson. Said godson was staring at him from the opposite side of the room, a stare that Sirius worked hard not to meet. Somehow he had not imagined his reunion with his long lost god son to be like this; sitting sandwiched between Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore, Remus pacing the floor at his own home, while he sat trying to convince a muggle woman that not only was she the surrogate mother of a wizard, but that she didn't actually know her child at all. Sirius supposed that it could be worse.

After all, at least she had a background in witchcraft, due to the fact that her mother was Wiccan. Then there was Harry. He was so different than what Sirius suspected. Perhaps Sirius had expected James; perhaps he didn't know the boy that well, but from what he could tell and what Elizabeth had said he was no where close to James.

Apparently, Harry Apollo Cullens, as he had been so named, was a studious straight "A" student who enjoyed singing and playing piano and doing various martial arts. He was a shy boy and spent most of his life jumping continents having lived in both New York and Virginia previously. He didn't have many friends and wasn't that popular and pretty much sucked at any sport other than basketball and football (or soccer as his "mum" called it.) He even looked different from James if you care to really look him over. His hair was certainly longer than James' had ever been, falling just below his jaw.

Add the fact that opposite his father's messy and rather unruly hair, Harry's hair was starch straight with a bluish sheen to it. Sirius had to wonder if he made it lie flat like that or if it was just naturally like Lily's. His eyes were almond shaped like Lily's and bright green just like hers. His skin was very pale and flawless, like marble, and his lips were like a bow full, like his mothers. The only thing that Sirius could actually say that Harry might have inherited from his father so far was his nose, which was small and pointed, his strong jaw definition and high cheek bones and his height, as Sirius was sure that if James hadn't had the odd growth spurt he did, Lily would have definitely been way taller than him. Just watching the odd boy was unnerving. Dumbledore suddenly spoke up saving Sirius from saying anything.

"Yes, He is quite special Ms. Cullens. We would like to invite him to our school, where he can learn around children his age who have the same abilities as he. He won't be left out or treated differently. At Hogwarts, he'll learn not only how to control his abilities, but how to cultivate it." Sirius had to repress a snort.

You go from telling the poor girl that her son is fucking revered as a hero to telling her that he'll be treated normally, Sirius thought, tempted to say as much aloud. Elizabeth however wasn't so reserved.

"So you're telling me that even though he's an effin celebrity, he's going to be treated normally? Now that I take with a grain of salt," She snorted in the most un-lady like fashion, throwing her hands about dramatically. Both he and Severus exchanged smirks. So she wasn't impressed with Dumbledore, which was always a good thing. Severus and Sirius' smirk didn't go unnoticed by anyone either and Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. Even Sirius was surprised by just how well he got on with the snarky potions master since Lily and James' deaths. While they couldn't be called friends, acquaintances were enough.

They shared a drink here or there, even managed to have conversations every now and then. Not to say that they didn't not get on each other's nerves anymore. But perhaps the fact that not only did they have to work together, but then they were both at the Potters house after their murders, and they were constantly brooding about more or less the same thing, it made their outlook on each other improve. Neither had forgotten the reasons why they hated each other when they were boys, but somehow, after all this time and all that the war had put them through, the rivalry was no longer worth the time, the energy or the pettiness.

"Is there anything you two would like to say?" ask Dumbledore, with that dumb-ass twinkle in his eyes, "Perhaps you dear Sirius?"

Sirius decided wisely not to look at the old man and approached Harry, bending down so that he could look into the boy's eyes.

"Harry," he said firmly, as if to convince him that he was actually saying it, "I knew your father as a boy. He was a great person. However you're not your father so I'm not going to pretend you are for my own selfish reasons. You hardly look like him, nor do you have quite the track record as he," Sirius chuckled at that, "But I would be so happy if you came to Hogwarts. Not for me or for anyone else, but for you. For you to discover your own magic and…I don't know what to say really. I never expected to see you again in my life. And your – Mum – has raised you to be quite the boy, I suspect. I would be honored if you even allow me to visit you if you decide not to come to Hogwarts for the fact that I want to make-up for all that I missed in your life."

Sirius looked down at his hands, unable to look in his godson's face anymore. He then felt a cool hand on his forehead as Harry patted it. Sirius looked up and saw his godson grinning at him. The young boy hopped off the sofa to the surprise of everyone in the room and laughed.

"You sound like a cheesy after school special, complete with the Pop-Tart commercial," Harry said, walking into the kitchen.

He jumped up and grabbed something flat and yellow from off the top of one of the cabinets. When he came back, he pulled out a photo. Sirius recognized it immediately. Harry held it just out of his reach. He pointed to Sirius.

"That's you right?" Harry asked.

Sirius nodded dumbly.

"And your friend from yesterday?" he asked, pointing to Remus and earning another nod from Sirius.

"And those two," he said pointing to a twenty something Lily and James, are my mom and dad, right?" He gave another nod. Harry laughed.

"I want to know about their times at Hogwarts, about them, Okay. So instead of telling me how they died, tell me how they lived."

Such a brilliant smile spread across the boys face that no one knew what to say.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"The boy's wisdom knows no bound, that's for sure." said Snape as he and the other professors sat in the conference room at Hogwarts.

Everyone was excited to hear all about The-Boy-Who-Lived. Sirius had given an accurate physical description, but Severus was unsure that he could give such a clear one about the boy's mind. He was nothing like his father, and his mind said as much. The entire time that Dumbledore had been talking to his surrogate mother, Harry had been listening intently, though by looking at him one couldn't tell. Snape watched with amazement as the boy's mind processed and categorized all the information after carefully reviewing it. His mind was almost like a library of sorts.

Severus was sure that he would make a skill occlumens. But what was more amazing about the boy was that he seemed to realize that Severus was somehow intruding into his mentality and somehow managed to lock him out of anything he hadn't already seen. Severus was sure of this when the boy had lock eyes with him and sent him a piercing glare, almost like a warning. He couldn't be sure however if the boy even knew he was doing it. And then when he spoke, despite his rather Americanized accent, he sounded very intelligent. If there was one thing that Severus Snape could agree with Sirius Black on, it was that no one could confuse this boy with James Potter. He was something else entirely. Severus said as much to his collogues, leaving out the boy's mind blocking capabilities. Sirius hadn't seemed too surprised; after all his godson had laughed in his face and told him to cut the sob stories. Somehow, Black still managed to be in shock over that. Maybe Severus just might be able to survive the new first years after all.

"That," said Dumbledore, "still doesn't explain why we weren't able to find him all this time. It also doesn't explain the heavy warding around the Cullens residence. Is it possible that perhaps one among us knew where he was?"

"How would that be possible Albus?" asked McGonagall.

"I don't mean amongst our group here, but someone who maybe a wizard or witch who lived the area. Who recognized Harry for who he is."

"What do you mean for who he is, Professor?" said Sirius with a hint of annoyance, "He's not Harry Potter, I know that for damn sure."

"So you don't want to take Harry away from Mrs. Cullens?" Snape asked with surprise.

"Why in Merlin's name would I want to do that? It's not like she can say no to him coming to Hogwarts if he really wants to. Being his magical guardian, I'm in charge of his welfare in the magical world, and that also makes her adoption of him null and void in some ways so…No worries."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

July 31st, 2007

The Cullens home

Harry leapt out of bed eagerly. His clock read 5:12, just enough time for him to be dressed before his mother woke-up. He took a hot shower and looked into the bathroom mirror. With all the humidity in the bathroom, his "stick straight hair" became highly unruly, making Harry have to brush it until it took on a slightly straight texture. He brushed his teeth vigorously, glad for the umpteenth time that he managed to avoid braces unlike Hermione, who had hers since he had met her. It was just a downside to having two dentists for parents. When he felt all clean and squeaky, he dressed in the clothes he had laid out the night before.

They could be considered rather American with a hip hop influence. When he looked in the mirror, he could truly say he looked rather handsome in a white tank, blue checkered button up that he left unbuttoned, slightly baggy jeans and blue and white chucks.

He put his white cap slightly tilted on top of his hair, having it tilting down slightly in front of his eyes, due to the fact that his ponytail kept it from going down in the back. If he had gotten a tan, he would look just like his friend Alhambra back in Brooklyn. He went into the kitchen and ate his daily Fruity Pebbles while waiting for his mother to wake up. It was when he'd heard his mother go into the bathroom that the doorbell room.

"Answer that, will you Harry?" called his mom from the shower.

Harry opened the door and there stood Sirius. He looked a little less rigid than when Harry had first seen him some weeks ago and looked a lot more at ease. He smirked a little when he saw that it was Harry who had opened the door.

"Hey Harry, you ready for today?" asked Sirius. He and his godfather had been keeping contact, albeit limited, ever since what Harry dubbed "The Talk".

"Yeah, just have to wait for mom; she's still in the shower."

They had a plan to go to get Harry's school things later on in the day, so Sirius was spending his birthday with him. After all, it had been sometime since he had last gotten to see his godfather, and he could tell that he wanted to spend some time with him. It also worked for his mom, who made it quite clear that she didn't want Harry alone with the man. It was beyond him why his mother was so adverse to the man's company. He wasn't going to worry his head over it though. He invited his godfather in, offering him a bowl of cereal. His godfather eyed it suspiciously.

"What the hell is that Harry?" he asked, sniffing the box. Harry couldn't help but laugh. "It's Fruity Pebbles, the best cereal ever. Why don't you try it?"

He poured the man a bowl of the cereal and Sirius nibbled on the edge of the spoon before mumbling in approval. Both of them were half way through their food when his mother came out. She was drying her hair with a towel, but was otherwise fully dressed. She kissed Harry on the forehead, throwing a sideways glance at Sirius. "Hello Sirius."

"'ullo iza'buth," he replied through a mouthful of cereal. Elizabeth rolled her eyes and finished drying her hair.

"So are we doing this…Diagon Alley first?"

Sirius gulped down a mouthful of cereal before saying anything.

"If you want; I mean, we could get it out the way and do what you planned later, it's up to you."

"Then we do Diagon Alley. After all, it is your first birthday together." She said it so sarcastically that neither knew how to take it.

Sometime later, they were standing inside a dimly lit pub, surrounded by rather haggard looking people. Elizabeth pulled her son tightly to her body as they made their way through the crowded space. Sirius obviously knew a few of the people there, mumbling greetings to a few of them, oddly blocking their view of Harry. They were almost to a door near the back when…

"By god, it's Harry Potter!" croaked a raspy voice.

You could have heard a pin drop as it grew eerily quiet.

"I don't like this," said his mom

Harry looked around from behind Sirius' back. It seemed as if half the pub was in shock and the other half was itching to maul him. However, all of them seemed to be holding themselves. It wasn't until Harry saw the look on Sirius' face did he understand why. Even Harry was afraid to be near his godfather. His eyes glinted with something feral, and Harry could swear that he'd growled. In fact he was sure of it as he heard the low rumble in the man's throat.

"Tom, take these two out back,"

Harry and his mom were led away by the bartender, a balding older man. Harry took one look at his godfather and shuddered. He never wanted that look to be directed at him. They stood outside for a moment before Sirius joined them. He seemed to have recovered from earlier, but his facial expression was once again the blank form that it had been when Harry had first met him. He took out his wand and tapped the brick wall without saying anything. Harry's confusion was washed away by amazement as the wall opened up onto an alleyway crowed with people of every type.

Sirius put a hand on his shoulder and led him forward. Harry tried to look up at him or look back, but Sirius held his shoulder so tightly that he couldn't do either. Harry abandoned the attempts and let himself be led to the first store, the Caldron Shop. It was quite small, and a sign sat outside of it reading:

Caldrons

All Sizes

Copper, Brass, Pewter, Silver

Self-Stirring

Collapsible

"Why'd we start here, Sirius? I wanted to get my wand first!" cried Harry. Sirius chuckled dryly.

"Harry, the wand shop is all the way on the other end of Diagon Alley. I figured we'd work our way down. Besides, you need something to carry your things in." replied Sirius.

"Why not just –" started Harry, but Sirius cut him off.

"No magic Harry, we don't want you to get lazy. Besides, it's not like you'll be able to use your wand. Law forbids you to use it until you're at the school, 'Underage wizardry'"

Harry groaned, but Sirius ignored him. Eventually, he'll figure out that in Diagon Alley, magic can't be traced mused Sirius.

"Now what do you need," muttered Elizabeth to her son.

Harry dug in his pocket, pulling out his supplies list. It read:

Uniform

All First year students will require the following articles of clothing:

Three sets of plain robes (black)

One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils clothing should carry name tags

Course Books

All students should have a copy of the following:

The Standard book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

Spells and Theory (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

3. History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

4. Beginners Guide to Transfiguration by Emric Switch

One thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Plants, Herbs and Fungi: Guide to Muggle equivalent by Fern Pollen

Magical Drafts and Potions (Grade 1) by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them by Newt Scamander

The Dark forces: A guide to Magical Self Protection by Quentin Tremble

Self Defense: How to avoid confrontation and defend yourself by Lisa Tai-Chi

Other Equipment

1 Wand

1 Caldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 Set of Glass Crystal Phials

1 Telescope

1 Set Brass Scales

Students may bring a cat OR an owl OR a toad

Remember that First Year students are not allowed to own their own brooms.

Harry rolled the parchment up and Sirius picked out a caldron, pewter and shining, getting his name inscribed into it. He got the merchant selling them to make it collapsible so Harry wouldn't be under too much pressure carrying it into class. It was not very big in the first place, almost like one of the large cooking pots his mother had at home (That remained unused due to his mother's cooking ability.)

Sirius also made it his business to get Harry a few extra ("Just incase your one of those people, like me, who sucks at potions," he said, "They have a tendency to…melt") and a Stirring spoon that enhanced the quality of his potion. Harry didn't argue it, and became suddenly fascinated with Wizard currency. He watched as the two men exchanged shiny, thick coins. Waiting until they left the shop, Harry questioned his godfather.

"What these?" Sirius said, holding up a shiny gold coin.

"Yea, those, and the others; How come you guys don't use pounds or bills like everybody else?" Harry asked.

"We do," answered Sirius as they entered the Apothecary, "A long time ago, after the first war with Voldemort, A lot of people move into the muggle world. Let me say that it caused the Ministry of Magic a fair bit of problems. Many wizards and witches had no idea how to function in the Muggle world, so they developed a system so that we can use pounds and wizard currency (Galleons, Sickles & Kunts) to make purchases. Some of the elders prefer to use the old money. Most of the other shops in Diagon Alley only like to use muggle currency though."

Harry nodded, "So how much money do I have like that?"

"There's no need to concern your self with that, that there is business for your mother and I. I can assure you that you have more than enough to pay your way through school and never want a thing in your life. However, you don't have access to it, so there's no need to worry you pretty little head over it."

They left the Apothecary with Harry's new potions kit, something that was required, but usually provided by the professor and headed to the next shop, Quality Qudditch Supplies.

"But I thought he couldn't have a…broom." said Elizabeth.

"Who said I was getting him a broom?" said Sirius. Elizabeth rolled her eyes.

"Then why are we going in the broom shop," she asked, looking at the broom displayed in the window, The Nimbus 007.

"Because I want to look at some Qudditch supplies for my house team; I'm sure Harry would like to learn a little about the game. Wouldn't you Harry?"

Harry looked between the two adults. His mother looked a little peeved at being told what Sirius was doing in such a manner and Sirius looked oddly pleased with himself. As much as he wanted to side with his mother, he had been hearing about Qudditch for weeks now and his interest was peaked. He nodded in Sirius' favor and followed the man, not ignorant of his mother mumbling

"That's what the fuck books are for."

Harry was amazed by the shop. There were small model brooms flying about the place and in one corner teens only a few years older than him were crowded around an advertisement for a new broom. Harry gazed around then suddenly something flew in front of his face. By instinct he reached out, catching it in his palm. He open his hand and a small golden ball sat there, unfolding its wings. It looked prepared to fly away again so Harry quickly closed his hand around it again. He looked up to see his godfather and another man staring at him amazedly.

"What?" he asked stupefied.

"Harry, you just caught a snitch without even trying," said Sirius, a slow grin spreading across his face.

"So," Harry shrugged his shoulders, punctuating the comment. The two men exchanged glances. The older man put his hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Boy, I've been trying to catch that blasted thing all week, used to be a seeker in my day. I'll tell you that I had quite a few people in here trying to catch it too. No dice. Then you come in here and snatch the damn thing right out of the air. That's quite some feat. I'd say that you'd make quite the seeker someday."

"Yeah, he would," Sirius said in a resigned manner, "He definitely would be quite the asset to which ever house he ends up in when it comes to Qudditch. It's just too damn bad that first years aren't allowed to join the house teams." He then introduced Harry to the man.

"Harry, this is Garry Ford, Mr. Ford, this is Harry, my godson."

Apparently, Sirius need not say more, as a look of recognition passed across the man's face. He regained his composure quickly though, extending his hand.

"It's nice to meet you lad. I suspected that Sirius would bring you here. Completely forgot you'd be going to Hogwarts this year. Got something in the backroom here just for you."

They followed the Mr. Ford into a small room in the back and he disappeared into yet another room, returning with a package that was obviously a broom held carefully between his huge hands. He thrust it toward Sirius.

"I trust that you'll keep this safe for him till he should need it Black."

"A Sienna Storm; Solid oak and beautiful bronze," Sirius whistled, "The best damn broom and it's not even in production yet."

"That's for the boy, Black, so keep you ass off it. Let him break it in. Now be off, I'm sure you would rather be doing other things that standing around a broom shop all day. Looks like the Missus is getting a little mad too, Black."

Sirius looked as if he were about to protest, but the man just chuckled and pushed him out. Harry turned to give the man his snitch, but he just shook his head.

"No lad, you keep that. Lord knows I've no use of it. Besides, I suspect that you may need it to get in the little bit of practice you can."

Harry followed his mother and Godfather out of the place and the continued on to get the rest of his supplies. It was when they went into the robe shop, Twilfit and Tattings, that Harry met someone his age.

"Mother, why can't we just go where everyone else goes to get their robes," complained the boy.

"Because, we are not everyone else," replied who was obviously the mom, "We are Malfoys. We only have the best."

They turned the corner and came face to face with both the boy and his mother. Looking at Sirius' face, the mother bowed low and deep. She noticed that her son didn't bow and smacked the back of his head, causing the boy to bow just as deep.

"Father Black," she said, rising from her prostration, "What are you doing here on this fine day?"

The wording of her question was careful, precise. There was a look of not only respect, but fear in her face, one that perplexed Harry. Again, he looked at Sirius. His face was blank, denoting no particular emotion. It was weird that he was generally well mannered and kindly around just Harry and Elizabeth, but when he was around these people, he was stern and somewhat scary. Harry shuddered and looked at the other boy, who was surprisingly staring at him.

"Hello, I'm Draco Malfoy," said the boy as he extended his hand, "May I ask who you are?"

"Harry Cullens," said Harry, shaking the boy's hand firmly, "Nice to meet you Draco."

The boy seemed surprised that he had called him by his first name, but said nothing of it. He released Harry's hand, "Are you American?" he asked. Harry laughed.

"No, but I was raised around them and kind of caught the accent. Both my parents were from here though."

"Oh," said Draco. He stared at Harry, making him just a bit uneasy then suddenly burst out with another question, "How do you know my cousin?"

"Your cousin…"

"Sirius,"

"Oh, Sirius…He's my godfather." Harry replied. The look of familiarity that had crossed Mr. Fords face had also plastered Draco only the boy wasn't so practiced enough to erase it a quickly.

"You're Harry Potter?" he asked, his eyes flicking up to Harry's forehead, searching for the scar that Harry had been warned about.

"Yeah, but drop the Potter, its Cullens now." Harry said, just a little annoyed. The boy recovered from his star struck-ness and smiled.

"Okay then, Cullens it is. So you're like my god cousin or something…That's good. What house do you think you'll be in?" he said all of this so fast that Harry had to ask again.

"Oh, what house…Hmm…I don't know really, I really hadn't thought about it..."

"I'm bound for Slytherin. Both sides of my family have gone there...Except Father Sirius…He's the exception." Harry didn't know how to take that, but was suddenly annoyed with the boy's incessant chatter and made his way to get fitted. Draco followed, but seemed to have gotten the message and said no more. Harry, meanwhile, keyed into the adults conversation.

"…Yes father black. I'm sure Draco will be quite the companion to Mister…Cullens…no matter what house he should land in." said Draco's mother.

"See to it that he does. That may alleviate a fraction of the inter-house issues we may have. Which also raises another problem…I realize that because of "social" status, your husband and Arthur Weasley can't be called friends at any level," Sirius said.

Draco's mother's face made her look like she had just sucked on a lemon. "Yes you can say that. And I believe that yet another son of his is starting at Hogwarts this year. I can assure you that I will speak to Draco. We want a rather calm school year. Not another…Gabriel issue."

Harry wondered who Gabriel was. Was he Draco's father or brother…it wasn't his problem. The fitting was over and the tailor assured them that Harry would receive his robes before school began and that they would be of the best quality. Harry, Sirius and Elizabeth said good-bye to the other two and left, stopping for lunch. While Harry was eating his grilled cheese though, Sirius and Elizabeth were having "Grown-folk" talk.

Author's Notes:

Hey you guys. I'm sooooo sorry it took me this damn long to update, but I've been transfering schools, mid-terms, boys, parents, boys...You know, teen stuff like that. Plus I've been trying to pick up my social-life. I know half of you guys want to beat the shit out of me...but...you have to review too! I mean, that's one thing that pushes me to update faster! So all you people...

REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!!!!

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